There is no safety this side of the grave

Noah Chance was troubled, and when he was troubled, Noah liked to take a walk, find somewhere quiet, and think, which was exactly what he was doing now, wandering the streets aimlessly. He was too concerned with the thoughts that raced through his head like wild animals to pay attention to where his feet were taking him.

Noah was thinking his plan to “save his brother” was a bit too ambitious. What was he supposed to do? Where was he even supposed to start? He thought maybe he should adjust his plan. Something like “find out why I see ghosts” would work just fine. But how was he supposed to find that out?

Before his thoughts could become anymore uncontrollable, Noah was distracted by the faint smell of buttered popcorn, the distant twinkle of lights, and the faded sound of…

“Is that... circus music?” Noah asked aloud.

“I believe so” a voice replied.

Noah startled, not expecting an answer to his question. To his right stood a young man around Seth’s age. They were both walking towards the circus and Noah wondered how he had not seen him before. It was as if he had just materialized by his side, almost like a ghost.

“I’m sorry. I don’t think we’ve ever met before. My name is Noah.”

“Nice to meet you. I’m Elwood. I think I’ve seen you around the Foxberry. You live there, right?”

“Yeah, I do.” Noah answered. “So what brings you to the circus?”

“I’m not sure. I was just drawn to it.” Elwood responded honestly.

“Did you die there?”

“Excuse me?” Elwood asked, clearly taken aback by the question.

“Oh! I’m so sorry, Elwood. Usually I don’t ask such rude questions. It’s just most ghosts I meet are drawn to where they died and I just assumed-"

“Wait, ghosts?” Elwood interrupted. “You think I’m a ghost?”

Noah stopped and stared at Elwood, the color draining from his face.

“You’re not… you’re not dead?” Noah questioned fearfully, realizing his mistake in assuming his companion’s living status.

“No. Not yet anyway.”

“Oh I’m very sorry. I better be going.” Noah said as he started backing away. “That circus is just calling my name. I love popcorn and animals and lights and clowns-”

“Noah, wait. Don’t leave just yet.” Elwood smiled kindly and spoke six words Noah desperately needed to hear.

“I think I can help you.”

Comments

  1. AnonymousFebruary 13, 2019 at 9:52 AM

    “He was too concerned with the thoughts that raced through his head like wild animals to pay attention to where his feet were taking him.”
    What are the distinguishing features that tell him whether a person he speaks to is alive or dead?
    It’s unclear what his life is like outside of his ability to see ghosts. Is he social or antisocial? What does he enjoy doing in his everyday life? How has this CHANGED since his brother died. He couldn’t have always been so focused on the dead.
    I think you should have him do something uncharacteristic. Maybe something that he had done before his brother died. Try to develop aspects of his personality outside of the ability to speak to the dead.

    ReplyDelete
  2. UnknownFebruary 13, 2019 at 10:09 AM

    “He was too concerned with the thoughts that raced through his head like wild animals to pay attention to where his feet were taking him.”
    Where would the character fall on the social ladder?
    How old is this character? Sometimes seems immature like a teenager or young adult, and at other times seems very mature.
    Why was it important that Elwood asked you about having seen you around the Foxberry?
    How could your being able to see ghosts be turned into a good thing? At the moment, the character seems conflicted with it, but it could be something he learns to like about himself.

    ReplyDelete

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